A Boy and His Dog

One of the things I love about being a mom lately is watching Finn and our chocolate lab, Hannah blossom into lifelong friends. Hannah, went from being one of the worlds most spoiled dogs (complete with her own Easter baskets, Christmas stocking, and birthday celebrations) to being a big sister. It was traumatic for her – to say the least – when that fair skinned, bald-headed, chubby monster came into our lives. She avoided him like the plaque.

And now, they have learned to entertain each other, laying side by side watching cartoons, chasing balls, playing keep-away, and sharing snacks. I’ve been trying to document their love for one another on Instagram and wanted to share some of my favorites here on the blog. Enjoy:

Share on Facebook|Tweet This|Pin It|Follow on Bloglovin'|Back to Top
Jo - April 16, 2013 - 2:43 pm

I can tell by looking at Finn (I have a grand-daughter named Finley, whom we call Fin) that he’s a wonderful, little boy. As the owner of two labs, you can’t find a sweeter dog, so no wonder they are good friends. I just love the photos and watching Finn grow. How happy you must be.

Sheri C. - April 16, 2013 - 3:05 pm

It’s important for our little ones to have siblings ;-)
And, btw, LOVE the cardi!

Peggy - April 16, 2013 - 6:19 pm

Ah how sweet! I love it when I see young children who have a close bond with a pet! It is evident Hannah dearly loves Fin… a boy and his dog! as it should be!!

Have a wonderful week!

Jacqueline - April 16, 2013 - 6:57 pm

All so darling! We raised our crew with a Lab. So man wonderful family memories.

joanne nixon - April 16, 2013 - 7:10 pm

nothing quite like a boy and his dog….they will be lifelong friends. the pics are great and really show the bond that has developed between them….finn is growing so quickly. i am sure you and hubby are over the moon with love for him…

glad to see how you are all progressing….i wish that i had captured more pictures of my children when they were little….my one and only regret….lol

have fun with finn, he will recall these tender moments when he becomes a man and discovers how much he was loved…..hugs to all of you…..xxxx joanne

Barbie - April 16, 2013 - 7:26 pm

Adorable!

Patty - April 16, 2013 - 8:59 pm

So sweet to see Finn and Hannah together, both learning love and trust and respect for each other. Beautiful.

Hristina - April 16, 2013 - 10:48 pm

There are no words to describe the sheer beauty in those images

Kim - April 16, 2013 - 11:43 pm

So cute Sara! Finn & Hannah are adorable together. I love all the photo’s! Pets help to teach our children many of life’s important lessons -& they bring our little one’s so much joy. Our 6 year old was only 5 mos. old when we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog ‘Memphis’, but Jack still loves to look at their pictures together from when he was a baby. Now, he’s got sweet, little “Brinkley” to grow up with & they’re best buds (well, except for when Brinkley comes flying out of his room with one of Jack’s Lego toys in his mouth!). lol. Here’s wishing Mr. Finn & your sweet lady Hannah many more years together… xo

SuZeQ - April 17, 2013 - 5:07 am

OMGosh … the sweetest evah!

Candice - April 17, 2013 - 3:27 pm

those photos make me cry :) they are just so sweet.

Jody - April 18, 2013 - 9:43 am

Sara,

The photos are priceless, thanks for sharing them! I’ve had dogs my whole life and I’m so glad Fin and Hannah have each other :) AND I can’t believe how much hair Fin has now!

Candice - April 18, 2013 - 10:39 pm

aww cute photos! Great to see that dogs are able to learn how to share the attention of their parents with a little one in the family. My dogs are still trying to get used to our son (he’s just a little over a month old now) after having my husband and myself to themselves for so long. They were super spoiled too. After looking at your pictures I’m looking forward to seeing a similar kind of bond grow between our son and our dogs.

victoria - April 19, 2013 - 10:31 am

So darn adorable!!!!

Thank you so much for making me smile!

Victoria Silva

Vicki - April 21, 2013 - 5:44 pm

Priceless!

kelleyn - April 22, 2013 - 9:15 pm

Finn is getting so big! Boy does time fly! Boys and their dogs are always so special!

Anne-Marie - April 24, 2013 - 7:44 am

Soul mates, for sure.

I’ve always loved your blog. Thank you for sharing.

Christi - May 1, 2013 - 9:08 pm

Precious.

Our House

Thought I would continue sharing some of the images I took back in August/September of our home.

The exterior of our house has come a loooooong way… just take a peek at how it used to look, here. I like it even more now that some of the plants have started to grow in. (Don’t mind the giant weed next to the stair case…)

See those architectural arches in the corners near the roof? I cheated and bought those from Pottery Barn. They were meant to be large book-ends or home decor, but they were much cheaper than a matching pair of actual vintage ones.

This is our family room, where we hang out most of the time, as the television is on this room. It’s very rarely “camera ready” so I don’t often take pictures of this space.

I bought this table fairly recently from Country Roads Antiques, and sold my black Pottery Barn table that used to be here. I was growing tired of having so much black furniture, and I loved the legs on this table. The top is a bit rough and weathered (not in a pretty way) so I have been waxing it and trying to decide what I want to do with it.

These last few images are of the front sitting room. I recently smoothed out the drywall (and ceiling) in here, filled in the recessed box above the fireplace, and painted this room SeaPearl. I like the change, but I do miss the stripes a little. The walls were in desperate need of repairs, and I didn’t paint them myself (the old owners did) so I decided it was time for a change. It’s growing on me more and more. I’ll have to share some updated pictures soon…

Share on Facebook|Tweet This|Pin It|Follow on Bloglovin'|Back to Top
cathy - April 3, 2013 - 3:26 pm

Gorgeous honey !!!! I so love seeing your house xo

Sadie Olive - April 3, 2013 - 3:47 pm

Thank you Cathy! Love you! xox

Monique - April 3, 2013 - 4:12 pm

An amazing transformation..You have exquisite taste~
It’ a dream~

Sadie Olive - April 3, 2013 - 4:12 pm

Thanks Monique!!

Jody - April 3, 2013 - 4:59 pm

Beautiful photos of beautiful spaces! I love the exterior transformation and also the legs on your new table :)

Sadie Olive - April 3, 2013 - 5:01 pm

Thank you Jody. :) Did you notice the mirror I picked up from your shop? I love it!

Rita Cobb - April 4, 2013 - 6:43 am

Sara,
I love your home and everything you’ve done to style it – always have! Sorry to see the stripes go – I even pinned the image of your corner next to the fireplace on Pinterest, I was so inspired. A couple years ago I took down a border in my kitchen and painted a darker hue stripe in its place, and would love to do my laundry room in light shades as yours.

Your work is beautiful!
~Rita

Sadie Olive - April 4, 2013 - 8:11 am

Thank you Rita. :) I think a laundry room would be perfect with subtle tone on tone stripes.

Angela - April 4, 2013 - 12:23 pm

You have created such a beautiful home! I love the restful palette and neutral tones. Very elegant x

victoria - April 4, 2013 - 2:39 pm

Your home looks lovely… so soothing to the eye…and comfy too.

Hugs
Victoria Silva

katey - April 5, 2013 - 5:56 am

Your home looks so lovely!! The before picture of your exterior of your house is unbelievable. Never would recognize that! Way to go!

Melinda - April 5, 2013 - 11:57 am

Oh how I adore your home and style Sara!! I love the table you picked up from CR. That has been one of my favorite places to shop for the past 18 years!
I can’t wait to see your living room with the new paint.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Jen @ RamblingRenovators - April 5, 2013 - 7:43 pm

There is such a serenity and peacefulness to your home. So beautiful!

Kim - April 17, 2013 - 12:06 am

Love, love, love! The outside looks amazing (so sweet & charming). and WOW, what a transformation! It’s hard to believe that it’s the same house. I often wonder what the old owner would think if they were ever to drive by… I’d be so bummed if I were them knowing that my old house looked like THAT -when it could look like THIS! I love your understated (yet elegant) sense of style, your beautiful decor and the wonderful way you mix old with new. You must share pictures of your home with us more often! It’s truly inspirational… :-)

Lauren - April 18, 2013 - 9:35 am

Your house is simply beautiful. I’m obsessed with the smallest little detail in one of the pictures above….that blue striped, grain sack-looking coffee mug! Where did you find that?? I NEED a couple of those in my life!
Thanks for inspiring with your beautiful blog!

Sadie Olive - April 19, 2013 - 12:14 pm

Thank you! Lauren – I bought that mug on Etsy from a shop called “Clam Lab” (if I remember right?).

Leslie - April 25, 2013 - 7:40 am

you have such a truly unique style! Love it!

Happy Easter

Finn and I dyed Easter eggs this morning and I think he really enjoyed himself. He was in charge of the wire loop that pulls the eggs out of the water, and he spent most of the time dipping it in each colored filled bowl and tasting it. Luckily I don’t use any vinegar or it wouldn’t have tasted very good.

^ When we were through, we piled the dried eggs neatly in some bowls and Finn decided he had to “taste” them too.

All in all, I think he enjoyed himself. We’ve been practicing hunting for candy filled eggs this week in hopes that Easter morning will go a bit smoother. (He takes awhile to warm up around more than a few people, even when it’s family).

We also visited the Easter bunny at the mall, which didn’t go all that well…

Let’s hope after he receives his basket full of candy and toys that he changes his mind.

Happy Easter everyone!

Share on Facebook|Tweet This|Pin It|Follow on Bloglovin'|Back to Top
Patty - March 29, 2013 - 5:22 pm

OMG! Finn is having so much fun with the eggs, even tasting them! So sweet! Love the picture with the Easter bunny, I have one of my niece’s boy and girl, she is smiling, he is howling like Finn. : ) Patty/BC

Dori - March 29, 2013 - 6:02 pm

Oh, Sara! He is getting so big! The photo with the Bunny made me giggle. Oh the things we do! :)

Jody - March 29, 2013 - 10:42 pm

Finn has grown so much! I think that large bunny looks a little scary too :) Happy Easter!

Sheri C. - March 30, 2013 - 10:51 am

Love the pic of him with the Easter Bunny! Can’t wait to see him!

Candice - March 30, 2013 - 6:19 pm

Oh Finn .. I would cry too .. lol.
He has gotten so big .. but licking the eggs is just so perfect.
Thank you for the smiles, Happy Easter !

N e w s